FIESTA BOWL: Kansas State (11-1) vs. Oregon (11-1)

Where: Glendale, Ariz.

Fiesta Bowl: Oregon's high-powered offense is moved in large part by the speedy feet of running back Kenjon Barner. Kansas State hasn't seen anyone quite like him, but will in the Fiesta Bowl. (AP Photo) AP Photo

When: January 3

Time/TV: 8:30 p.m., ESPN

INSIDER’S GUIDE

KANSAS STATE

Collin Klein will get some much-needed rest: Klein was a lesser player in three games after an injury (to his head? Bill Snyder wouldn’t say) suffered vs. Oklahoma State. From head to toe, in fact, the 6-5 strider with the upright running style routinely takes far more of a pounding than most. The 33-day break between games might put so much juice back in Klein’s legs that he looks like a different guy.

The devil is in the details: Marvel at the Wildcats’ attention to—and adeptness at—those phases of the game for which some programs just don’t find the same kind of time. What does it signify that this team ranks No. 1 nationally in kick and punt returns? What does it say about the Wildcats that they rank No. 1 in turnover margin? It’s a special group that, from the head coach down, takes nothing for granted.

Opportunity knocks: The loss to Arkansas in last year’s Cotton Bowl left the impression of a little-engine-that-could running up against the SEC and, well, so much for K-State’s success story. Athletically—and by reputation—this Oregon team is a big step up from that Arkansas team, but that presents the Wildcats with exactly the opportunity they’ve craved. And it’s true, a victory would mean a whole new level of success for Snyder, Klein and Company.

OREGON

Execute on offense: K-State’s defense is pretty darned good at flowing to the football and containing the run, but Oregon’s running game is a different beast. Coach Chip Kelly knows the Wildcats won’t dare load up to stop Kenjon Barner, because the Ducks are more than capable of flying down the field with quarterback Marcus Mariota’s running—and his accurate throwing. It’s likely K-State will take more of a bend-but-don’t-break approach, and from there it’ll be a matter of the Ducks executing. They’ll gladly take their chances on that front.

Contain, contain: The best thing Oregon’s defense has going for it is speed, but enough to keep Collin Klein and running back John Hubert inside the numbers? Coordinator Nick Aliotti hopes so. Actually, the best thing could be 6-4 linebacker Kiko Alonso, who’ll have the chance to play a starring role against Klein in the running game.

This is a statement opportunity: You don’t think the Ducks believe they’re the best team in the Pac-12? You don’t think the Ducks believe it ought to be them—and not stinkin’ Notre Dame—in the BCS title game taking on Alabama? If they come in laser-focused and determined to take out their frustrations on K-State, this could turn into a blowout.

NFL PROSPECTS TO WATCH

KANSAS STATE SENIOR OLB ARTHUR BROWN, 6-1/228

Brown’s solid draft value is based on his quickness and range, keys to playing 4-3 outside linebacker. There are questions about his size, but before he shows all he can do in predraft workouts, it will be vital that he keep pace with the Ducks’ game-breakers.

OREGON SENIOR RB KENJON BARNER, 5-11/192

Barner’s last name easily could be burner, because of his speed and explosiveness when he turns on the jets. With his frame, he can’t be more than a 10- to 15-touch back in the NFL, but, as we’ve seen from similar players, that’s enough to make a difference.

UNDER THE RADAR

KANSAS STATE SENIOR DE MESHAK WILLIAMS, 6-3/245

Brown gets far more publicity (and deserves all of it), but Williams is the most explosive player on this defense—a good pass rusher (91/2 sacks) with the quickness to disrupt the Ducks behind the line of scrimmage (131/2 tackles for loss).

OREGON JUNIOR WR JOSH HUFF, 5-11/205

Huff has scored in only four games, but his production when he’s a significant part of the game plan—like his 234 yards and five touchdowns in wins over USC and Cal in November—is big-time. Huff can exploit K-State’s defense over the deep middle.

NUMBER THAT DEFINES THEM

KANSAS STATE 35: When K-State gets into the red zone, you know what it’s going to try to do: run the football. The Wildcats are tied for third among FBS teams with 35 rushing touchdowns of 20 yards or fewer.

OREGON 50.2 percent: That’s the success rate of the Ducks’ offense on third and fourth downs combined. How do you stop a team this athletic if you can’t get its playmakers off the field? More than half the time, you just plain can’t.

SIGNATURE WIN

KANSAS STATE

The win in Norman was everything K-State football has come to be: playing just a little tougher at the lines of scrimmage than the team with four- and five-star linemen; forcing a clutch turnover; and, led by Klein, staying the course just long enough to grab control of the Big 12 race.

OREGON

No matter how great Matt Barkley and the Trojans were going to perform offensively, the Ducks were going to be even better—so much better, in fact, that they utterly humiliated the team it pays off biggest in recruiting to beat.

SN SAYS

The Wildcats are going to spill their guts, and Collin Klein will go out with head held high. But this is such a tough matchup for Bill Snyder’s team, as it would be for most anybody. It won’t be a rout, but the Ducks simply have too much speed, too much offense.